A donkey suffering from a potentially fatal pedunculated sarcoid has been saved by vets after months of treatment.
The patient, called Snowdrop, was treated for the tumour at The Donkey Sanctuary’s specialist hospital in Devon.
Challenging
Head of clinical services Luke Poore said Snowdrop was an exceptionally challenging case.
He said: “She had a pedunculated sarcoid, which was very aggressive, bleeding and obstructing her vision due to its proximity to her eye.
“We carried out a resection with a specialist laser to remove the majority of the tumour, followed by a series of chemotherapy injections over several months to destroy cells at the base of the site.
“Each time chemotherapy was administered, the donkey was sedated to ensure she remained calm – particularly given the sensitive location of the tumour.”
Bleeding tumour
Snowdrop was relinquished into the charity’s care last year, alongside companion Marble.
Welfare advisor Charly Wain, who was called to investigate, said: “I visited their owners and saw a donkey with the bulging, bleeding tumour very close to her right eye.
“I explained the different options available and, luckily, the owners chose to relinquish the donkeys into our care. I was relieved at how understanding they were of the need to take action quickly.”
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